The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1887-05-31


/ FAoTs, not theoris, are what tell, and
facts are what have been laid. and
what we propose to continue to Law
before the public. A land transaction
III which the King and W. NJ. Gibson
are the high contracting powers. is
now under investigation in the Su
/ preme Court. We have, therefore, no
comments to make concerning the
facts Of that case. But we have some
thing to say concerning a transaction
between the same parties. relating to
1900 acres Of land situated in Kau.
Hawaii.
On the 22d day Of September, 1856.
David Kalakaua, then holding the
position of King Of the Hawaiian Isl
ands, and Walter VI. Gibson. then
holding the position Of Minister of
the Interior, signed a document, of
which the following is q copy:
This certifss that the Hawaiian Govern
ment has this day let unto His Majesty
King haiakaua, the land known as the Ahu-
puaa Of kaTaOa, and also the Unbiased
portion of the land known as the Ahupuaa of
PuueO, situated IN the District of kau, Island
Of Hawaii, at an annual rental as follows.
For hamaoa, $50 per annum: For Puueo,
$3.50 per annum.
1t being understood that his Majesty will
hold these lands as tenant az will. and that
tins rental may terminate at anv time anon
80 days notice, either by His Majesty or bv
the Minister OF the Interior of the Hawaiian
Government.
Given under my hand and official seal this
22d day Of September, A. D. 1856
WAITER II. GIBsoN.
Minister OF the Interior.
k4LAKAUA.
The peculiar significance Of this
transaction Is due to the fact that IT IS
IN direct violation of a law Of the land
which has passed the Legislature and
been signed by this same David Ka-
lakaua, IN his capacity as King. The
law passed in 1876 and amended in
1878 reads as follows:
All sales OF leases Of Government lands
shall be made ct public auction, after not less
than thirty days notice by advertisement III
two o. more newspapers published In Homo
lulu II both the Hawaiian and English Ian
guages- excepting lands ard portions of
lands Of less than $500 IN value.
This is the law of the land TO-DAY.
and 1t was the law of the land on the
22d day Of September 1887.
The King and the Ministerb both oe-
cupy fduciary positions; they are in
the nature Of trustees for the nation.
not only IN honor bound to faithfully
guard the interests of the people. but /
legally bound by oath to do SO.
The oath which David Kalakaua /
took upon his accession to the throne. /
IS as follows:
:. solemnly swear IN the presence Of al /
mighty God, TO maintain the Constitution OF I
the Kingdom. whole and in7iolate, and to 4
govern IN conformity herewith
The oath which Dir. Gibson took
upon his appointment as Minister
was to
Support the Constitution and laws. and
faithfully aud ImpaEtially to discharge the
duties OF this Office,
The unYarnished fact which we wish
% lay before the public IS, that the
King and Minister both violated their
paths in this transaction. There Is no
question that the hold which Dir. 9Th
son has upon Office, is his willingness
% prostitute his honor to do the Kings
bidding. The sovereign is worthy of
he Minister, and the Minister Is the
1T instrument of the sovereign.